Laudrup rues missed chances

Aug 17, 2013 8:17 PM GMT

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Michael Laudrup admitted poor finishing had cost Swansea against Manchester United, although he still took heart from a 4-1 defeat.

Despite having an even share of possession throughout Saturday's Premier League opener - and more chances than their opponents - Swansea failed to significantly test United goalkeeper David de Gea, while the visitors were ruthless at the other end.

Two goals apiece from Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck saw the champions start with a win, with only record signing Wilfried Bony able to find the net for Laudrup's side.

And afterwards, the Dane acknowledged that poor defending and a lack of potency had cost them.

"Our plan was to put them under pressure," he said. "We knew it would be a long game and it worked well for the first half hour as they only had one shot on target.

"But then you see that difference – and the first goal was a great finish. But to concede two goals in two minutes against a team like Manchester United makes it very difficult after that.

"We created some chances after that but the third goal meant it was game over. The main difference was the finishing, and losing the two goals like we did was a huge blow.

"It’s always difficult to play the big teams, but I would rather play them at the start of the season. There is always that doubt, but the difference in today’s game was the finishing."

The 49-year-old - who guided Swansea to their first major trophy last season in the League Cup - insisted, though, that he would move on quickly ahead of the club's UEFA Europa League play-off clash with Romanian's Petrolul Ploiesti on Thursday.

"I said to the players that we just have to move on," he added. “We are playing for different things within this league and its not against teams like Manchester Untied that we need to see where we are.

"We now look ahead to Thursday’s game in the Europa League and get back on track."